RED WINGS SEASON IN REVIEW - Detroit 2025/2026 Recap - Apr. 19th, 2026

We couldn't wait for Steve Yzerman any longer. This Detroit Red Wings podcast breaks down the 2025-26 season in review as Hockeytown misses the playoffs yet again. Full season analysis, grades for every forward, defenseman, & goalie, & reviews on McLellan, Yzerman, & what went wrong. (0:00) Intro Jim Rutherford's wild presser throwing Patrik Allvin under the bus and why he should hold a press conference every morning. (5:35) Season in Review Intro & DeBrincat and Raymond Setting the table for the annual grading episode - forwards, defense, goalies, coaching, and special teams. Alex DeBrincat's 41 goal season to lead the Red Wings forwards. Plus, the Lucas Raymond shoulder injury that quietly defined his 76-point season. (17:05) Dylan Larkin's Complicated Season Larkin's 34 goal campaign, the non-contact knee injury after Olympic gold, and the five-on-five drought that hurt Detroit most. (26:20) Kane, Copp, and Finnie Patrick Kane defeating Father Time next to DeBrincat. Andrew Copp's finishing issues as the emergency 2C, and Emmitt Finnie earning a full 82 as a seventh-round rookie. (44:35) Kasper's Sophomore Slump Marco Kasper's "lost golf swing", what it means for the second-line center hole, and whether the offensive ceiling is a real concern. (49:20) JVR, Compher, Appleton, Rasmussen The "jersey" problem - who should be back, who shouldn't, & why J.T. Compher's contract is the most frustrating watch on the roster. (1:07:55) Defense Breakdown Moritz Seider's Norris-worthy season & Simon Edvinsson's RFA extension looming. Axel Sandin Pellikka's rookie year, how the Justin Faulk trade panned out on ice. Plus, the Hamonic/Holl/Gustafsson mess. (1:29:50) Goaltending and Team Grade John Gibson's nuclear December, Cam Talbot's rough year, what Sebastian Cossa's runway is like, and a D for Disappointment across the board. (1:42:35) NHL News and Notes Draft lottery odds on the St. Louis pick, John Leonard's extension, and takeaways from player exit interviews before Steve Yzerman speaks. (1:47:10) Overtime: Patron Questions Cossa vs. Trey Augustine in a hypothetical trade, Kasper vs. Nate Danielson, and who we're rooting for in the playoffs. --- This episode is brought to you by Hims. Visit hims.com/wingedwheel for your personalized hair loss treatment options. This episode is sponsored by ExpressVPN: go to ExpressVPN.com/wingedwheel to get 4 extra months FREE! Support the show: Patreon.com/WingedWheelPodcast Head over to wingedwheelpodcast.com to find all the ways to listen, how to support the show, and so much more!